Asked to delay your performance

[Bonkers #361]

Acctually Fitz I thought Taps Stood for ( The Alantic Paranormal Society) It is on Wednesday nights on the sci fi channel its a good show

[bugaboo the clown]

I take a preemptive strike when it comes to time management with parties. It begins with the booking process. When they want to book me for an event/show I always ask when guests are arriving. As many have said on here already I tell them to book me at least 30-60 minutes after the start of the party. This usually nips this issue in the bud, If not you have a couple of options. If you have other shows booked you must press on and start at the agreed time. If you have time to spare at the end give them 10-15 minutes. I have found that by giving the parents or organizers tips during the booking process they are very appreciative and you end up looking more professional and your event goes off hassle free.

[Bonkers #361]

When I worked at TRU I was in charge of Birthday parties. We did alot of parties on the weekends 7-8 a day our parties were an hour and a half and we had a 30 min window for clean up and set up for the next party (1 Room ) We had several times that MOM would say " we are waiting for suzzie's 15th cousin 243 times removed on her fathers mothers sister side to get here " which would put us in a real bind. Then I would have to discount 4 parties because DUMBO could not read a clock and get there on time so what we went to was a signed agreement (Party is from 1:00pm - 2:30pm) anything past was $50 a half hour. AMAZING most parties started on time and ended on time after that. Late comers just had to jump in where ever we were in the party (Would mom or dad want to get to work and have their boss say wait a half hour before you clock in but go ahead and start working?)

[pixcoco]

My friend and I have found this problem not in private parties but with churchs, libraries and other such events. we discussed it and decided to price the wait time. Not the same price as the performance time, and not avalible if we have another party. But they should pay for our time if they planned things poorly.
I think this should also go for those who delay paying you because they had to________. Fill in the blank with, cut the cake, open presents, find the check book, find the husband, ect. That wait time should be paid for also. In 10 min. incriments. Maybe our priority can be moved above cutting the cake. We said 10 dollars for 10 mins. What do you think?

[Bonkers #361]

I ask for payment in advance on the shows I have done so far because my experience in past business has been well let me get my check book while you load your car and then you here LOCK and it is hard to sue if you dont have a signed contract So listen up boys and girls

Contracts are a must and have your dead time clause in there that way your sure to get paid ( maybe it is where I live )

[pixcoco]

Wow, maybe it is where you live. I am paid at the end of the show because by then they have seen what I do and often tip me in addition to my requested payment.
I use contracts and/or pre-payment on certain company show. I had a daycare (national chain) play games about paying me. It was child time by the way, and the national office in MI. I have also had problems with a home builder so they have to pay up front also.
If I am sending another entertainer I always get a contract. For both parties.
I kind of hate to have a church sign a contract.
One thing people can count on is if they screw me out of payment they will have a hard time getting another clown to their door step. As you know...we talk.

[bugaboo the clown]

I do not do contracts. Like coco I prefer to get paid at the end of the show. So far it has led to tips galore and only a few small issues. I must say I hate it when I have to wait at the door after one of my shows waiting on payment..lol kind of awkward. Anyone else have this happen to them? Ohoo did I mention I do not ever accept checks? I will only take them from a business.

[Bonkers #361]

I have not done alot of work as a clown yet but I am speaking of past business that I have run. If it was a company or home owner I requested at a min 50% deposit that way if they cancelled or what ever I was not money I learned this after I pressured washed a church Yes a Church when I got done I gave the maintenance man my invoice for $2500 he said that the church tresurer had to cut the check and they would mail it. I contacted the church office and she informed me that they never signed a contract so she was not paying me. I just want to cover myself in the future. I don't know protocal for clowning and I am not in this to get rich (I love acting silly and making kids laugh) Just be careful because there are Dead Beats where you least expect!!!

[pixcoco]

I have done this for 20 years. 99 percent of the time everything goes fine. I have a lot of repeat bussiness. The time or two I had issues, let me think...the day care stiffed me...one b-day party...another one tried but she finally paid. And there was the delay from the home builders. That's not really that bad. But it hurts my feelings.
There are some agents you can't work for but I didn't count that.

[Joey]

I make it sure not to hang around while not performing. To me, this seems unprofessional. We are performers and need to go in, do our job, thank the parent, and leave. I would never accept any food or drinks offered. We must maintain a level of professionality, even though we are clowns. =)

Do you agree?